Heads-Up Poker Online

What is Heads-Up Poker?

Heads-up poker is a cash game or tournament in which there are only two players. In a cash game, this could be because all other players left the table and only two remain, or alternatively, it could be a heads-up cash poker table for two players. In both multi-table tournaments and single table tournaments (including sit 'n' go tournaments), the final stage when only two players remain in the action is considered a heads-up confrontation. Alternatively, players can select to play a two-player heads-up tournament.

(Photo credit: CC-BY-SA-3.0, ForestWander, ForestWander.com)

Heads-up poker rules are exactly the same as in games and tournaments consisting of more players, however heads-up poker strategy is a different thing altogether.

Heads-Up Poker Strategy

Basically, it's a mistake to play heads-up poker online in the same manner as you play poker when more players are seated at the table. Listed below are some guidelines for heads-up poker strategy, but obviously these need to be adapted to the cards you are dealt, and the opponent sitting across from you.

Tips for Winning in Heads-Up Play

If you’re a multi-table tournament player, your goal is to win the tourney and to achieve that you must be successful in the end game, when you’re face-to-face with only one final opponent. Perhaps you prefer heads-up sit ‘n’ go tournaments, or maybe you relish the action in heads-up cash games. In any case, heads-up poker utilizes a different set of tools. Strategy must be adapted to this special type of poker action. Our collection of heads-up tips will give you an advantage over your sole opponent in heads-up poker.

Heads Up Poker Strategy for Multi-Table Tournaments

You cannot really evaluate your opponent’s poker player abilities when you play heads-up in sit 'n' go tournaments, especially at the micro and low level buy-ins. Usually your final opponent at the table remains a stranger to you, and there’s little chance of understanding how he’ll play. Not so in multi-table tournaments, where you’ve been watching your opponents play for quite awhile. At least, you should have been watching them play.

When the multi-table tournament narrows down to heads-up action, the most interesting question is what type of opponent you’re up against. Strategically important elements of the game, such as position, post-flop play, and bluffing, need to be carried out and adapted according to the type of player you’re facing one-on-one.

When you start heads-up play you should employ a solid playing strategy, which is largely determined by position. The position element switches back and forth, from hand to hand. In heads-up play, the small blind initially has the weaker position, because that player is first to act. However, after the flop, the first to act honors go to the big blind.

Heads Up Poker Championship

When you say heads up poker championship you immediately think of the National Heads-Up Poker Championship (NHPC), an invitation only poker tournament with a $20,000 buy-in that is produced and televised by the NBC television network. The championship, which sees 64 of the best poker players compete in a single elimination tournament modeled after college basketball championships, launched in 2005 and took place every year, with the exception of 2012. However, it was announced that there would not be a heads up championship in 2014 as well.

Can You Play Heads Up Poker at Titan Poker?

Of course you can! Take your seat at a Heads-Up cash table with micro stakes as low as £0.01/£0.02 and €0.02/€0.04 to tables with stakes as high as €20/€40.

There are plenty of heads up tournaments listed in the software, with 7 Card Stud, Razz, and Pot Limit Omaha on offer as well as the regular Texas Hold'em tables. There are turbo heads-up tables, and super turbo heads-up tables.

Or you can play a scheduled or sit 'n' go Shootout multi-table tournament, where the table size is always 2 players.